- Pluto-0.mp3
- Pluto-0.mp4
- Pluto-I.mp3
- Pluto-I.mp4
- Pluto-Interlude-2.mp3
- Pluto-Interlude.mp3
- Pluto-deep-space-intro.mp3
[Intro]
Out (…out… out)
Far (…out… out)
[Chorus]
[Instrumental, Strings Solo]
Our love for you is strong
(How did it go wrong?)
Dwarf (for what it’s worth)
[Verse]
Pluto
(What has become of you)
Tell us
(Tell us do)
Emotional (for all)
Commitment (to attachment)
[Bridge]
Out (…out… out)
Far (…out… out)
[Chorus]
Our love for you is strong
(How did it go wrong?)
Dwarf (for what it’s worth)
[Verse]
Pluto
(Please, for me… clear your debris!)
Let’s go!
(Pull it together together)
[Bridge]
Out (…out… out)
Far (…out… out)
[Chorus]
Our love for you is strong
(How did it go wrong?)
Dwarf (for what it’s worth)
[Outro]
Out (…out… out)
Far (…out… out)
A SCIENCE NOTE
Pluto: Myths, Facts, and Its Planetary Status
Myths about Pluto
- Pluto was always considered a planet until recently:
- Myth: Many believe Pluto’s status as a planet was only questioned in recent decades.
- Fact: When Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930, its planetary status was based on the assumption that it was much larger than it is. Its classification faced periodic scrutiny after later discoveries showed it was much smaller than initially thought.
- Pluto is the smallest planet in the Solar System:
- Myth: Some still consider Pluto the smallest planet, smaller than Mercury.
- Fact: Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet, and it is indeed smaller than Mercury, as well as several moons in the Solar System, including Earth’s Moon.
- Pluto is named after the Disney character:
- Myth: There’s a belief that Pluto’s name is tied to Disney’s iconic dog.
- Fact: Pluto was named after the Roman god of the underworld. The name was suggested by an 11-year-old girl, Venetia Burney, and was accepted because it fit the naming convention of celestial bodies associated with mythology.
- Pluto was demoted because of its size alone:
- Myth: Its small size was the main reason for losing its planetary status.
- Fact: Pluto’s reclassification stems from its inability to meet all the criteria set by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2006. Specifically, it doesn’t “clear its orbit” of other debris.
Facts about Pluto
- Pluto’s Orbit:
- Pluto’s orbit is highly elliptical and tilted relative to the plane of the Solar System. At times, it is closer to the Sun than Neptune.
- Surface and Atmosphere:
- Pluto has an icy surface with mountains made of water ice and plains of frozen nitrogen. Its atmosphere is thin and primarily composed of nitrogen, with traces of methane and carbon monoxide.
- Moons:
- Pluto has five known moons: Charon (the largest), Nix, Hydra, Kerberos, and Styx. Charon is so large relative to Pluto that they are sometimes considered a binary system.
- Discovery and Exploration:
- Discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930.
- NASA’s New Horizons mission provided detailed images and data about Pluto during its 2015 flyby, revealing its complex geology and atmosphere.
- Location in the Kuiper Belt:
- Pluto is located in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy objects beyond Neptune. It is one of the largest known objects in this area.
Pluto and Mythology
- Roman God Pluto:
- Pluto, the Roman counterpart to the Greek god Hades, rules the underworld. The cold and dark nature of this distant celestial body aligns with the characteristics of the god it was named after.
- Charon:
- Pluto’s largest moon is named after the ferryman who carries souls across the rivers of the underworld. The naming theme reinforces the connection to mythology.
Is Pluto a Planet?
Pluto’s status has been debated since 2006, when the IAU redefined what constitutes a planet. The criteria include:
- Orbiting the Sun.
- Having sufficient mass to form a nearly round shape.
- Clearing its orbital path of debris.
Pluto fails the third criterion, as it shares its orbital zone with other Kuiper Belt objects. This led to its reclassification as a dwarf planet.
While scientifically it is not a “full-fledged” planet, the emotional and cultural attachment to Pluto’s planetary identity remains strong, leading to ongoing debates and advocacy for its reinstatement.
Conclusion
Pluto’s story exemplifies how scientific understanding evolves. Whether viewed as a planet or a dwarf planet, its fascinating characteristics and connection to mythology ensure it remains one of the most beloved celestial objects in our Solar System.